Walton County Assault & Battery Lawyer

Assault and battery crimes are considered serious in Florida. Assault and battery charges could include any intentional physical violence or threat of physical violence toward another individual. 

Penalties for assault or battery charges can range anywhere from a day in jail to 10 years in prison. This will largely depend upon the nature and severity of the alleged offense. Assault and battery legal specialists recommend working with an experience Walton County assault & battery lawyer when looking to maintain your innocence. 

If you have been charged with assault or battery-related crime in Walton County, Florida, you need representation from a regional, experienced criminal defense attorney. At Florida Criminal Defense Legal Group, they provide skilled legal representation to people in Walton County and throughout Florida facing assault and battery charges. 

We can utilize our experience and knowledge of Florida systems and prosecutors to provide you with a comprehensive legal defense. Read on for more ways to protect yourself in the event of an assault or battery charge. 

Types of Assault & Battery Charges

Florida law specifies that assault and battery are two separate offenses. Each may be further categorized according to the nature of the incident. Read on to learn the differences and other factors involved:

Assault Definition

According to Florida law, assault happens when someone has made a verbal or physical threat of unlawful harm or intent to harm. Physical contact with the person who has been threatened is not necessary for assault charges. 

If the threat is intentional and poses an imminent risk for harm, charges can be filed.  This only applies if assault perpetrators are capable of carrying out their threat. Assault can also be classified as a charge of simple assault or aggravated assault when:

Simple assault is a second-degree misdemeanor. Simple assault occurs when there is an imminent threat of harm, whether verbal or physical, made against a person that does not involve the use of a deadly weapon or force.

Aggravated assault refers to incidents in which a severe threat of harm has been made. Assault can be considered aggravated when the victim was threatened with force or if a deadly weapon was involved to kill. 

Battery Definition

Florida Law defines battery as an incident in which physical harm has been perpetrated against a victim. Battery differs from assault because it involves an actual infliction of harm through physical contact or violence, not just a threat. 

A battery crime can also be charged as an incident of simple battery, felony battery, or aggravated battery when the following occurs:

Simple battery is a first-degree misdemeanor crime. Simple battery occurs when someone intentionally touches or strikes a person without their consent. Incidents of a simple battery don’t have to result in bodily harm.

Felony battery is defined as intentionally touching or striking someone without their consent or intentionally causing bodily harm. Sometimes felony battery is charged as a full misdemeanor or third-degree felony.

Aggravated battery is a second-degree felony. Aggravated battery is defined as an act of severe violence, with intentional and non-consensual acts resulting in great bodily harm, permanent disability, or disfigurement.

First Time Assault and Battery Charge

Sometimes tempers can flare when individuals are under a lot of stress or duress.  Sometimes this temper can lead to poor decision-making or simple misunderstandings. It happens more often than you think.  

If you’re facing first-time assault and battery charges, you may feel confused about what to do next.  If you’re in this situation, understand what’s at stake. After being charged, the choices you make could impact the rest of your life.

If you get charged with assault and battery, it could be a misdemeanor or a felony penalty. The details and seriousness of your case will determine how you’re charged. Walton County assault and battery law specialists recommend speaking with an experienced criminal defense lawyer in your Florida community. 

An experienced attorney can help you understand the penalties you’re up against. They can also advocate on your behalf and protect you from further legal harm. 

Assault and Battery Penalties

The penalties you may face for your assault or battery charge will depend on the factors at play in your arrest. Assault offenses can lead to up to 60 days in jail and a $500 maximum fine. Battery offenses can result in up to 1 year of jail and a $1,000 fine. 

However, if a person has a prior conviction for battery, they could face a third-degree felony charge. Felony charges are harsher and can result in a maximum of 5 years of prison and a fine that does not exceed $5,000. 

Aggravated assaults can be charged as third-degree felonies and may result in five years of prison and a fine that does not exceed $5,000.  An aggravated battery charge can be punishable by up to 15 years of prison and a maximum fine of $10,000. 

How Can Assault Attorneys Help You?

Facing an assault or battery legal issue can prove difficult. Understanding all of the bureaucracy and laws involved can leave you feeling confused, bewildered, and hopeless. In this case, you can benefit from the guidance and representation of knowledgeable and compassionate legal counsel. 

Every Walton County assault and battery case and client is unique. Each case’s outcome will depend on its unique facts, evidence, circumstances, allegations, etc. Some assault matters are resolved quickly, while others may take months or even years. 

Therefore, it can be frustrating for clients and their families to wait, wonder, and be uncertain about their battery proceedings. That’s why it’s imperative to be represented by adept Florida criminal defense attorneys. The assault and battery attorney you choose could directly impact the outcome of your claim. 

Florida Criminal Defense Legal Group will work tirelessly on your assault and battery case to ensure that they exhaust the entire legal process to guide you through every step of your case. Speak with an assault or battery attorney in your community for a free consultation. Contact us today.